Master's in Philanthropy and Development

• Applicants may apply for admission to master’s degree programs at any time during the year; however, the Philanthropy and Development program course cycle starts in the summer only. 
• Applicants must have completed an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution and maintained an overall grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale.
• Preferred applicants are practicing and emerging leaders in a relevant field within a nonprofit or grantmaking organization.

Students with transcripts from universities located outside of the United States, unless from a waiver country listed here, are required to take and pass English Proficiency testing.

Saint Mary’s accepts:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 72
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
• Michigan Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) with a minimum score of 74%
• International Test of English Proficiency (ITEP) with a minimum score of 4.0 or Pearson Test of English with a score of 51
• Duolingo with a minimum score of 100.

Your application must include the following items:

1. A completed application form
2. An official transcript(s) issued to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from the institution posting the applicant’s completed bachelor’s degree and other relevant transcripts documenting program prerequisites and potential transfer credits. (An official transcript is one that is sent to the university by the credit-granting institution.)
   • Transcripts from countries other than the U.S. must be evaluated on a course by course basis by a university accepted evaluation service, such as World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, Educational Perspectives, One Earth International Credential Evaluators or any approved member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES.org) and be deemed equivalent to accredited U.S. university standards.
   • Saint Mary’s can order and cover the cost of transcripts from institutions that allow third-party requests for eligible degree-seeking applicants. Contact your enrollment counselor for more information.
   • Official Transcripts should be sent to Office of Admission
     • Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
       2500 Park Avenue
       Minneapolis, MN 55404
     • Or electronically: tcadmission@smumn.edu
3. All applicants must submit a personal statement that includes:
   • brief description of the applicant’s background, training, and experience and,
   • statement indicating the career goals of the applicant and their reasons for seeking admission to this program.
4. Two recommendations from current or former colleagues who can verify the applicant’s experience and address the applicant’s skills in nonprofit volunteer or professional work and their academic ability. References may submit either a letter of recommendation or arrange a phone call with the Program Director.
5. A current résumé listing educational background and work experience.

• May 1 – Scholarship
• May 30 – Application

You can expect to be notified about your acceptance approximately two weeks following your application completion date.

 At Saint Mary’s, we want you to succeed, and we help you do so, inside and outside of the classroom: 

Student Central: Your one-stop for student services.

Library: Resources and services are available 24/7 to all students.

Writing Center: Offers virtual and face-to-face services to support students. 

Career Services: Can help you develop your career-readiness skills at any point in your education. 

The only thing virtual about your online experience is the classroom. Our flexible online programs offer the rigor and reputation you expect from Saint Mary’s.

Explore more here.

If you are in a degree-granting program and enrolled at least half time, you may be eligible for financial aid.

Learn more here.

Life gets busy. Whether you’re raising a family, pursuing your career, or playing an active role in your community, we know you want to keep up with what you love while you take the next step in your career. That’s why Saint Mary’s online programs are flexible and designed to fit your demanding life.

Learn more here.

Saint Mary’s is pleased to offer four scholarship opportunities available only to students studying in the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development program: 

• The Philanthropy and Development Alumni Scholarship 
• Tim Burchill Scholarship 
• F. Walter and Mary Ann Riebenack Scholarship
• Kristen A. Riebenack Memorial Scholarship 

All scholarship applicants must complete the M.A. in Philanthropy and Development Common Scholarship Form to be considered for one of these scholarships. Scholarship applications are due May 15.

Two summer residencies are held on our Winona Campus during this 18-month program. This is an opportunity for you to engage and network with faculty and peers, creating a unique and inspirational experience for professional growth. 

During the residencies, you’ll develop real-world experience by working with local nonprofits to help strengthen their development operations. These two-week residencies are a time for building community, growing professionally and personally, and an opportunity for reflection. 

The residencies are what many graduates describe as a transformative — and memorable — experience. The two summer residencies are typically held from mid-July to the end of July with an estimated $2,000 fee for each session to cover lodging and meals.